Free ranging and ticks

[Celeste Cannon]

The best bird for getting rid of ticks would definitely be guineas, but I understand that you don't want that noise. I heard that they are only noisy when the see strangers or predators though, so I guess that could be good if you wanted a guard bird too lol.

 

[Deblett]

I have to say after reading this thread and knowing first hand that we have Lyme disease carrying ticks in my woods, I had no idea that Guineas were good for for gobbling them up, so I am now going to stop at my local Saturday market and pick a few up this weekend. Noise is not an issue here but staying disease free is - especially now I know how much more serious tick bites can be as I will be having Grandchildren staying sometimes in the future and would hate to think that they could come down with any thing this serious. Although very sorry about Trish, I do appreciate you putting up this post.

 

[Cryss]

I have to say after reading this thread and knowing first hand that we have Lyme disease carrying ticks in my woods, I had no idea that Guineas were good for for gobbling them up, so I am now going to stop at my local Saturday market and pick a few up this weekend. Noise is not an issue here but staying disease free is - especially now I know how much more serious tick bites can be as I will be having Grandchildren staying sometimes in the future and would hate to think that they could come down with any thing this serious. Although very sorry about Trish, I do appreciate you putting up this post.

Thank you.

 

[PirateGirl]

Hello @Cryss I am sorry I do not have your answers, but your post has got me thinking. I grew up in NJ and as a teenager got lyme (and knew many people and animals that were adversely affected in many different and profound ways), had the bullseye and months of antibiotics that made me ill in other ways. I can't help but wonder years later if my "arthritis" like symptoms on some days actually stem from lyme. Fortunately we do not really have ticks where I live now, but after reading your post and the replies of others I will certainly give some guineas a good home if I relocate somewhere with ticks. I like your idea of free ranging meat birds. What about turkeys? Do they eat ticks? I feel that they would do well free-ranging and due to size maybe one could eat a lot of insects? I don't know for sure. Hopefully others will weigh in. Or what if you adopt some retired layers or battery hens that could free range. They would have a good home for the rest of their lives and otherwise would have been culled from their flocks. Even if they are lost to predators you would have given them another chance at a good life and they would be able to help you out. If you make this decision prior to getting the birds it will be easier to accept their possible fate than to turn loose birds you have hand raised for years. It is similar with my "free to good home" oops cat that I adopted to take care of rodents. I know that one day he probably won't come home, but he will work for me, and I will love him and care for him, and he will have a great life being able to hunt and play outdoors. My indoor cat is quite envious at times and begs to go out if he is out hunting. Know that if you free range birds, that while their life may be shortened, their quality of life is greater.

 

[Cryss]

Hello @Cryss I am sorry I do not have your answers, but your post has got me thinking. I grew up in NJ and as a teenager got lyme (and knew many people and animals that were adversely affected in many different and profound ways), had the bullseye and months of antibiotics that made me ill in other ways. I can't help but wonder years later if my "arthritis" like symptoms on some days actually stem from lyme. Fortunately we do not really have ticks where I live now, but after reading your post and the replies of others I will certainly give some guineas a good home if I relocate somewhere with ticks. I like your idea of free ranging meat birds. What about turkeys? Do they eat ticks? I feel that they would do well free-ranging and due to size maybe one could eat a lot of insects? I don't know for sure. Hopefully others will weigh in. Or what if you adopt some retired layers or battery hens that could free range. They would have a good home for the rest of their lives and otherwise would have been culled from their flocks. Even if they are lost to predators you would have given them another chance at a good life and they would be able to help you out. If you make this decision prior to getting the birds it will be easier to accept their possible fate than to turn loose birds you have hand raised for years. It is similar with my "free to good home" oops cat that I adopted to take care of rodents. I know that one day he probably won't come home, but he will work for me, and I will love him and care for him, and he will have a great life being able to hunt and play outdoors. My indoor cat is quite envious at times and begs to go out if he is out hunting. Know that if you free range birds, that while their life may be shortened, their quality of life is greater.

I like your thoughts thank you. And yes your arthritis can be a result. Please look at videos Trisha has "liked". Also she is on Facebook as Trish Rosado Lyme Time with Trish.

 

[Cryss]

Question...would having free rangers attract more predators and put my pet chooks in jeopardy?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

There are several things you can do,if you haven’t had an issue or witnessed preds on your property,you likely won’t have an issue.If you have dogs as well that really helps.I spray wolf urin around my yard,I would definitely try this.

 

[Cryss]

I get bear in my yard and hawks in my trees.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Hawks are probably your main concern,I don’t hear about bears hunting all too often.And plus,chickens would clearly see a bear as they are very large animals and I don’t think care at all about anyone knowing about their presence.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I’m so sorry for what Lyme disease has done to your daughter cryss. May she be granted a speedy and easy recovery.